Shukhov and the other prisoners are at the end of the days work in this section of the book. Shukhov is a very hard worker, which is acknowledged by his squad leader and he is rewarded for this effort. He knows that the harder he works the more food he is likely to receive, which is his driving force. “ “Listen men,” he said, “Give your trowels to Gopchik. Mine’s not on the list. So I won’t have to hand it in. I’ll keep going.” Tiurin said with a laugh: “How can we ever let you out? We just can’t do without you.” Shukhov laughed too, and went on working.” (87). Even though all of the other prisoners are gathered at the gate to leave, Shukhov stays behind and finishes up for everyone, which he could get in a lot of trouble with the guards for being late. Ivan Denisovich explains how hard their work is, out all day in the freezing cold. Others such as Tsezar have the privilege of working in the office where it is nice and warm. Shukhov also finds another way of earning extra food by running errands for doing small chores for other prisoners. When they get back to the camp that night he offers to go and wait in line for Tsezar’s parcel because he knows that Tsezar will repay him for his time. Shukhov expected Tsezar to let him have his ration of supper that night as his payment, after all Tsezar was getting a parcel. “Shukhov asked: “Do you want me to bring you your supper?” but murmured to himself: “Surely he won’t be stingy. Won’t he give me his supper? After all, there’s no kasha for supper, only thin stew.” “No, no,” said Tsezar with a smile. “Eat it yourself, Ivan Denisovich.” ” (110).
Authority
Most all of the authorities view the prisoners in the same way, that they are useless, good-for-nothing, slobs. They frequently curse at the “zeks” and talk down to them. Yet, a few of the authorities are nicer to the general prisoners. Tiurin, Shekhov’s squad leader treats his squad very well. He is often willing to sacrifice for them and will do whatever he can to make their conditions more bearable (89). Almost all of the other guards and such are not half as kind to the prisoners. “…the head guard barked at them: “Double time! Get a move on!” ” “Step lively!” shouted the guard. “Step lively, you in front.” (98). The guards and others of higher rank generally do not think anything of the prisoners. They expect them to listen and do what they want them to exactly when they tell them to, and it better be done right. The prisoners are punished severely for disobeying an authority and because of this they are very intimidated by them. “ “Stop, you fuckers,” the Limper shouted and raised his stick at the men in front. “Get back or I’ll bash your heads in.” ” (113). Also, the authorities such as officers and guards are treated much more humane. They are given extra food and are kept in better living quarters. They are taken care of better whereas the prisoners are given close to nothing and their health and such is not cared for properly.
Survival
The prisoners find out how to survive at this forced-labor camp. They soon figure out what is important and what is not. No longer do they care about anyone else. It is better for yourself to let him suffer when you can gain from it. Shukhov’s main goal is to obtain food and cigarettes. He thinks about food all of the time and how he can possibly get more of it to satisfy his belly. “It wasn’t the dispensary that appealed to him now; it was the prospect of adding something to his supper. His hopes were all pinned on that long-overdue parcel of Tsezar’s.” (99). “Shukhov had one wish only—to reach the mess hall in time and to eat his stew hot.” (108). Part of this survival technique is to concentrate on one thing at a time. It makes the time pass by quicker and it keeps your mind off of thinking about the horrible situation you are in. Shukhov finds himself doing this many times throughout the story. “They forgot to talk; they forgot to think; everyone in the column was obsessed by one idea: to get back first.” (99). Shukhov also helps himself survive by sticking up for himself and working hard. He becomes respected by many of the other prisoners and by his squad leader but he will not submit to just anyone. He stands up for himself and is not afraid to take a little more whenever he sees the opportunity. The prisoners also scrounge for anything they can get their hands on. They learn to take small twigs and chips back to the barracks with them from work to help heat the fire. (92). Shukhov as well cadges for things. He takes a piece of steel with him back to the camp. “And there lay a small piece of broken hacksaw blade, the tiny length of steel that he’d picked up in his thriftiness at the building site without any intention of bringing it to camp. He hadn’t meant to bring it, but now, what a pity to throw it away! Why, he could make a little knife out of it, very handy for shoe repairing of tailoring!” (102).
Works Cited
Solzhenitsyn, Alexander. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. New York City: Signet Classic, 1963.
Section 4
Pages 87-116
Work
Shukhov and the other prisoners are at the end of the days work in this section of the book. Shukhov is a very hard worker, which is acknowledged by his squad leader and he is rewarded for this effort. He knows that the harder he works the more food he is likely to receive, which is his driving force. “ “Listen men,” he said, “Give your trowels to Gopchik. Mine’s not on the list. So I won’t have to hand it in. I’ll keep going.” Tiurin said with a laugh: “How can we ever let you out? We just can’t do without you.” Shukhov laughed too, and went on working.” (87). Even though all of the other prisoners are gathered at the gate to leave, Shukhov stays behind and finishes up for everyone, which he could get in a lot of trouble with the guards for being late. Ivan Denisovich explains how hard their work is, out all day in the freezing cold. Others such as Tsezar have the privilege of working in the office where it is nice and warm. Shukhov also finds another way of earning extra food by running errands for doing small chores for other prisoners. When they get back to the camp that night he offers to go and wait in line for Tsezar’s parcel because he knows that Tsezar will repay him for his time. Shukhov expected Tsezar to let him have his ration of supper that night as his payment, after all Tsezar was getting a parcel. “Shukhov asked: “Do you want me to bring you your supper?” but murmured to himself: “Surely he won’t be stingy. Won’t he give me his supper? After all, there’s no kasha for supper, only thin stew.” “No, no,” said Tsezar with a smile. “Eat it yourself, Ivan Denisovich.” ” (110).
Authority
Most all of the authorities view the prisoners in the same way, that they are useless, good-for-nothing, slobs. They frequently curse at the “zeks” and talk down to them. Yet, a few of the authorities are nicer to the general prisoners. Tiurin, Shekhov’s squad leader treats his squad very well. He is often willing to sacrifice for them and will do whatever he can to make their conditions more bearable (89). Almost all of the other guards and such are not half as kind to the prisoners. “…the head guard barked at them: “Double time! Get a move on!” ” “Step lively!” shouted the guard. “Step lively, you in front.” (98). The guards and others of higher rank generally do not think anything of the prisoners. They expect them to listen and do what they want them to exactly when they tell them to, and it better be done right. The prisoners are punished severely for disobeying an authority and because of this they are very intimidated by them. “ “Stop, you fuckers,” the Limper shouted and raised his stick at the men in front. “Get back or I’ll bash your heads in.” ” (113). Also, the authorities such as officers and guards are treated much more humane. They are given extra food and are kept in better living quarters. They are taken care of better whereas the prisoners are given close to nothing and their health and such is not cared for properly.
Survival
The prisoners find out how to survive at this forced-labor camp. They soon figure out what is important and what is not. No longer do they care about anyone else. It is better for yourself to let him suffer when you can gain from it. Shukhov’s main goal is to obtain food and cigarettes. He thinks about food all of the time and how he can possibly get more of it to satisfy his belly. “It wasn’t the dispensary that appealed to him now; it was the prospect of adding something to his supper. His hopes were all pinned on that long-overdue parcel of Tsezar’s.” (99). “Shukhov had one wish only—to reach the mess hall in time and to eat his stew hot.” (108). Part of this survival technique is to concentrate on one thing at a time. It makes the time pass by quicker and it keeps your mind off of thinking about the horrible situation you are in. Shukhov finds himself doing this many times throughout the story. “They forgot to talk; they forgot to think; everyone in the column was obsessed by one idea: to get back first.” (99). Shukhov also helps himself survive by sticking up for himself and working hard. He becomes respected by many of the other prisoners and by his squad leader but he will not submit to just anyone. He stands up for himself and is not afraid to take a little more whenever he sees the opportunity. The prisoners also scrounge for anything they can get their hands on. They learn to take small twigs and chips back to the barracks with them from work to help heat the fire. (92). Shukhov as well cadges for things. He takes a piece of steel with him back to the camp. “And there lay a small piece of broken hacksaw blade, the tiny length of steel that he’d picked up in his thriftiness at the building site without any intention of bringing it to camp. He hadn’t meant to bring it, but now, what a pity to throw it away! Why, he could make a little knife out of it, very handy for shoe repairing of tailoring!” (102).
Works Cited
Solzhenitsyn, Alexander. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. New York City: Signet Classic, 1963.